Thread: List of the sharpest DE blades

I like to give them a few strops on my palm before a shave. I'm not sure it helps but I feel more personnal with the blade. The wife had a fit the first time she caught me running one across my hand.

Originally Posted by Alex7

Can anyone link a list of the sharpest DE blades?

If you want to look beyond subjective personal impressions, someone has actually objectively measured blade sharpness and came up with an extensive list. Initially, the list shows only 15 blades, but can be expanded (by clicking on “Show 15 entries” and selecting “50” instead) to the full 47 razor blade range.

Just Google “RAZOR BLADE SHARPNESS SUMMARY WITH COMPARISON CHART”.
As the list is hosted on a different forum I did not directly provide the link.

The methodology is quite clever, because the author measured the sharpness before the first shave, and after the first and second shave. This way he accounted for the Teflon protective coating that (unlike the chromium, platinum, etc. coating) is supposed to provide a smoother cut during the first shave and is then supposed to wear off while the edge achieves its optimum sharpness in the next shave(s).

It shows that some blades become sharper during the first shave, while a few blades become even sharper during the second.
It also shows how some blades start deteriorating quite early.

You can also change the display order of the list by clicking on 1.) before the first shave, 2.) after the first shave, 3.) after the second shave, 4.) the average of all three, and 5.) alphabetic by name (default).

A handy list that will, at least to some extent, confirm what the older hands around here have experienced themselves over the years. Unfortunately, I did not find a date when this list was compiled as some blades’ sharpness may have changed since then because of changes in steel, manufacturing, quality control, or a move to a different manufacturing site.

I am a bit surprised that no one mentioned this list before.


B.

The problem with that is depending on the person and technique and a whole host of factors it might not apply to you.

Originally Posted by thebigspendur

The problem with that is depending on the person and technique and a whole host of factors it might not apply to you.

I am not sure whether above (post number 13) is in reference to my post preceding yours (number 12), but if it is, I disagree, except for the technique dependent degradation or potential improvement after a shave.
Yet, measuring sharpness only before its first shave has its own limitations, as the PTFE (Teflon) coating often diminishes the sharpness of an edge until it is worn off during the first shave(s).

Sharpness, commonly defined as “the quality or state of being sharp” (Oxford Dictionary) does not depend on the person or technique.
The closeness and comfort that a shaver can achieve with a given blade do however.

Rolodave stated already in the first reply in this thread that “Sharpest may not be the most comfortable.” and I agree, but a blade has the same sharpness no matter whether the shaver is a novice or an experienced shaver.


B.

Well, in an academic setting knowing the absolute "sharpest" blade may be the "Cat's meow" but down here in the real world it's all between you and the blade you are using and a host of factors can make the theoretical champ a dog.